New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the answer keys for the 2024 Civil Services Examination (CSE) preliminary exam on May 21. This comes just four days before the commencement of the CSE 2025 preliminary exams, scheduled for May 25, 2025.
Candidates who appeared for the UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims will be able to download the official answer keys for General Studies Paper 1 (GS1) and General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT) from the UPSC’s official websites: upsc.gov.in and upsconline.gov.in.
Three Questions Dropped from GS Paper 1
In the final CSE 2024 Prelims answer key, the UPSC has dropped three questions each from Series A, B, C, and D of General Studies Paper 1. This decision comes after several candidates raised concerns regarding certain questions. However, there have been no changes to the General Studies Paper 2 (CSAT), and all questions in that paper remain as originally set.
This development comes as a significant update for candidates who appeared for the CSE 2024 Prelims, which was conducted on June 16, 2024. The CSE Mains exams took place from September 20 to 29, 2024, followed by the interviews and personality tests from January 7 to April 17, 2025.
CSE 2024 Final Result & Topper
The final results for UPSC CSE 2024 were declared on April 22, 2025. This year, Shakti Dubey secured the All India Rank (AIR) 1, marking an outstanding achievement. A total of 1,009 candidates have been recommended for appointments to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and various Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’. Among these, 241 candidates’ appointments have been kept provisional.
UPSC CSE 2025: Key Dates & Information
Looking ahead, the UPSC CSE 2025 Preliminary Exam is scheduled for May 25, 2025. This year, 979 posts are available across various civil services, including IAS, IFS, and IPS. Candidates who successfully score above the cut-off marks in the Prelims will be eligible to register for the CSE Mains exam.
The Mains examination will be held from August 22, 2025 and will span five days. Candidates should be aware that the UPSC Hall Tickets for the 2025 CSE Prelims have already been released. If any discrepancies are found in the admit cards, candidates are instructed to immediately inform the UPSC via email at [email protected].
Important Instructions for Candidates
Clear Photograph on Admit Card: If the photograph on the e-admit card is unclear or lacks the name and date of the photograph, candidates must bring a photo identity card along with two passport-size photographs (with their names and date of photograph) for each session. An undertaking will also be required to ensure smooth participation in the exam.
Stages of UPSC CSE Exam: The UPSC Civil Services Examination consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. A final merit list is compiled based on the combined marks from the Mains exam and Interview.
Upcoming Prelims 2025
The release of the UPSC CSE 2024 Prelims answer key and the upcoming CSE 2025 examination highlight the ongoing journey for aspirants aiming for prestigious positions in India’s civil services. As candidates prepare for the next phase, these updates serve as critical guidance for those in the race to secure their future in the Indian bureaucracy.
